“Obviously, where I come from, out of television, that brings a little more notoriety to the situation,” said Edwards, who spent the previous nine years working at ESPN as an NFL analyst. “It’s a new model. I’m excited about being part of it, but it’s still football. How do you go about winning football games? We’re trying to build a program here that’s going to be competitive consistently. That’s the whole deal. We said that when we first arrived.”

Edwards said his family still hasn’t moved to the Valley, so he’s immersed himself in football, working seven days a week. On Saturdays, he watches film and then goes out and supports ASU teams. He went to a softball game last week.

“I’m invested in this,” Edwards said. “I know there’s a lot of work involved, but it’s about football. It’s about this university and it’s about these players. It’s not about me.”

Students to coach at spring game

The April 13 spring game – which unfolds at 7 p.m. at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium – will be ASU's final practice. Expect it to be different.

For the first time, ASU has selected four students to serve as coordinators during the contest. They’ll actually call plays for a series.

“They’ll come in next week.” Edwards said. “We’ll let them sit there and we’ll say, ‘These are the five or six offensive plays you actually get to call. This is how you call them. Defensively, these are the coverages you can call.’ And we’ll play a game.”

Edwards said he was asked about the spring game shortly after his arrival and he thought it would be good to get students involved.

“We all go watch a game and everybody thinks they’re a coach,” he said. “Well, guess what – you get to be the coach. You call the play. You got 30 seconds to make a decision, now call it. I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Defense catching up

Through 12 practices, the offense is ahead of the defense, Edwards said. And that's understandable. Under coordinator Rob Likens, ASU is running similar plays and concepts this spring.

“That takes a little time,” Edwards said. “From the start of practice to right now, you’ve seen improvement and that’s not even talking about the fundamentals. And that’s a good sign.”

The transition likely will carry over into the fall.

“There’s going to be 25 guys probably on defense that will get the majority of the reps when we start the season,” Edwards said. “Offensively, it’s probably the same thing, if it’s that many. Once we determine who those players are, then we have to fit them into the scheme and fit them into position where they play to their talents. That’s what we’re trying to find out. And we have 21 more guys coming in here (in the fall) that we haven’t even seen yet.”

Extra points

– Former ASU star Mike Haynes – a member of both the college and pro football halls of fame – visited practice for the second time this spring. After Friday's practice, he told Edwards that ASU looks like an entirely different team from his first visit. “And I said, 'Well, were starting to learn what’s going on,' ” Edwards said. “I thought that was good coming from him, a guy that’s seen a lot of football in his lifetime. I actually had him come over and tell the defense.”

– Something Edwards has noticed about the Sun Devils: They play with emotion. That could be good or bad. “What I try to get them to understand is emotion is good but you got to control it,” Edwards said. “You can’t be a roller coaster. And I think sometimes in this game you get so emotionally spent, and it can go either way. It can turn against you and I’m a big (believer) in this: How do you handle success?”

Up next

ASU approaches its final spring week. Before Friday's spring game, ASU is scheduled to practice Tuesday and Thursday. Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. on the Kajikawa practice fields and are open to the public.

Contact Doug Haller at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4949. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.

ASU Daniel Sanders-Efflong (89) catches a pass before being tackled by during the Spring Game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 13, 2018. Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic

ASU head coach Herm Edwards talks to fans during the autograph time before the Spring Game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 13, 2018. Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic

ASU head coach Herm Edwards signs an ASU helmet during the autograph time before the Spring Game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 13, 2018. Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic

ASU's quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) calls out a play to the children play before the Spring Game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 13, 2018. Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic

ASU head coach Herm Edwards greets people along the sidelines before the Spring Game at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on April 13, 2018. Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic

ASU head football coach Herm Edwards talks to ASU defensive lineman Jordan Hoyt during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU offensive analyst Kevin Mawae works with the offensive line during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU offensive analyst Kevin Mawae works with the offensive line during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU offensive analyst Kevin Mawae works with the offensive line during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU defensive back Demonte King (center) takes the field with his teammates during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU running back Trelon Smith takes the field with his teammates during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU head football coach Herm Edwards talks to ASU defensive back Chase Lucas during ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa football practice field in Tempe on Thursday, April 5, 2018 David Wallace/The Republic

ASU head football coach Herm Edwards talks to ASU linebacker Jay Jay Wilson during an ASU football spring practice at the Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe on Thursday, March 22, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic